INSERTION MUTATION Meaning and
Definition
-
Insertion mutation is a genetic alteration that occurs when one or more nucleotide bases are added into the DNA sequence of an organism. It involves the insertion of extra nucleotides into the existing DNA sequence, leading to a change in the genetic code. This type of mutation can result in significant consequences, as it alters the reading frame of the affected gene.
Insertion mutations can occur spontaneously during DNA replication or due to external factors such as exposure to radiation or certain chemicals. The inserted nucleotides can either be the same as the existing sequence, resulting in a repetition of the same DNA segment, or they can be different nucleotides altogether. The size of the inserted segment can vary, ranging from a single base pair to multiple base pairs.
The impact of an insertion mutation largely depends on the location and size of the inserted sequence. If the insertion occurs within a gene coding region, it can disrupt the reading frame, leading to a premature stop codon or altered amino acid sequence. This can subsequently affect the function and structure of the protein encoded by the gene. In some cases, insertion mutations can have subtle effects or even be silent if they occur in noncoding regions or introns that do not affect protein production.
Insertion mutations play a crucial role in the evolution of species, as they provide a source of genetic variability and can lead to the development of new traits. However, they can also be responsible for various genetic disorders and diseases in humans and other organisms.
Common Misspellings for INSERTION MUTATION
- unsertion mutation
- jnsertion mutation
- knsertion mutation
- onsertion mutation
- 9nsertion mutation
- 8nsertion mutation
- ibsertion mutation
- imsertion mutation
- ijsertion mutation
- ihsertion mutation
- inaertion mutation
- inzertion mutation
- inxertion mutation
- indertion mutation
- ineertion mutation
- inwertion mutation
- inswrtion mutation
- inssrtion mutation
- insdrtion mutation
- insrrtion mutation
Etymology of INSERTION MUTATION
The word "insertion" originates from the Latin term "inserere", which means "to plant or graft". The term "mutation" traces its roots back to the Latin word "mutare", meaning "to change". When combined, "insertion mutation" refers to a specific type of genetic mutation where a segment of DNA is inserted into the DNA sequence, resulting in a change.
